NetPalpus 2.8

NetPalpus is a network monitoring tool which helps you keep an eye on all the devices present on your network, including workstations, routers, switches, printers, and so on.

First thing you need to do when starting the program is search for network devices. The program automatically detects your subnet after you click the search button on the toolbar. Next, you can select the range of IPs which should be scanned, or you can just click OK in order to start searching your network for devices. The computers, printers, and other network devices are displayed as icons in the program's user interface. When you click an icon, you can view extended information about the selected device, including its IP address, name, and even information about the network services which are currently running on that device.

If you double click a device, a window entitled "Settings" appears. It allows you to add text notes to each device, to define the polling options, or to set alarms for each device. Polling each device is done every 30 seconds by default. I think this value is reasonable because it doesn't generate too much traffic, but at the same time it allows you to view the status of each device almost in real-time.

As I said, you can associate an alarm to each device. The alarm is triggered whenever the device fails or is shut down. You can set the program to send you an e-mail or to play a sound when an alarm is triggered.

Pluses: You can use the "Custom view" to organize the devices on your network into groups. By default, the program allows you to organize the devices into three groups, but you can easily add other groups, or you can rename the existing ones. It's worth mentioning that all the data about your network is saved into logs. These logs can be exported in XML and CSV file format, but the application also uses them to show statistical data about the uptime of each network device.

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: This program is an easy to use tool for monitoring computers, printers, or other devices connected to your network.

version reviewed: 1.3